A handy device shows great promise in restoring the failing sense of balance in persons with Parkinson's disease by generating an "electric noise".

The portable pocket-sized vestibular or balance stimulation device generates active noise stimulation or "electric noise" that stimulates the sense of balance and could improve the lives of Parkinson's sufferers. This alternative treatment device was developed by researchers from the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy.

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The device provides stimulation via patches attached to the patient's head behind the ears, where the vestibular system is located. It's basically similar to the TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) therapy used for pain relief, such as that experienced in child birth.

"So this is really not a very complicated device. It is a current device which is very similar to the ones that people use for pain relief with electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves, what's called TENS," said Associate Professor Filip Bergquist, who led the research.

"The difference is that we use a particular current profile which you can stimulate the balance organs with without creating a balance disturbance. So you do not get the impression that the world is moving or that you are moving, you actually do not feel anything".

Parkinson's disease is identified by reduced levels in the brain of the hormone dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows different regions of the brain to communicate with one another. Almost all patients diagnosed with Parkinson's are treated with levodopa, a drug that stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain.

The effectiveness of oral levodopa, however, decreases as Parkinson's disease progresses. Bergquist said the device could treat patients for whom levodopa isn't enough.

Researchers at Sahlgrenska showed that noisy electric stimulation of the balance organs could be used to change the activity of the brain, balancing the effects of dopamine shortage and improving motor skills and balance.

The researchers also tested the method on 10 Swedish Parkinson's patients, in both medicated and unmedicated states. The experiments showed the active noise stimulation improved both the patients' balance and the combined symptoms.